World

Kashmir Day Being Observed Today

by rumana husain | February 5, 2009 at 12:47 am

228 views | 24 Recommendations | 6 comments

Today is a holiday in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Every year, the day is observed in solidarity with the people of Kashmir for their struggle for self-determination. Kashmir is the main cause of conflict between the two neighbours Pakistan and India. Nevertheless, for over six decades now, in the face of this unresolved issue, many individuals as well as institutions on both sides of the border have continued to work as social and cultural peace ambassadors for each other in the face of their governments' continued hostility and half-hearted peace processes.

The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas has prepared a comprehensive programme for the day.

The day has been declared a public holiday. People all over the country will observe ‘one-minute’ silence.

The Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir will observe a Kashmir Solidarity Week, for which a series of events have been planned, starting from a seminar on ‘Kashmir conflict and need for peace: tackling the root cause’.

A ‘Human Chain’ will be formed at the Kohala bridge by people of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to demonstrate unity with and commitment to their brethren in occupied Kashmir.

A memorandum on Kashmir will be presented to the UN representative and a Kashmir convention will be held.

An essay competition for students of colleges and universities will be held on Feb 6-7. The subject is: ‘Kashmir issue: a quest for solution’.

The parliamentary committee has adopted a resolution which says that self-determination is the right of Kashmiris approved by the nations of the world at the UN.—APP

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Barry ORegan

at 06:41 on February 5th, 2009

Interesting Read, Rumana

rumana husain

at 08:05 on February 5th, 2009

barry artiste, thanks for your read and comment.

azzayindia

at 08:40 on February 5th, 2009

Were Kashmiri Pandits remebered?

rumana husain

at 09:04 on February 5th, 2009

azzay, i dont know if they were...doubt it, but i also doubt if those hundreds remain in people's minds, besides their own kith and kin, who have fallen from either the military's or the militant's bullets...for so many years now.

Noel Jameel Abdullah

at 10:08 on February 7th, 2009

Salaam Alaikum,

I am writing to ask permission to post to your story on Kashmir day.

I sent two veryold cards with examples of Kashmir accomplishments.

Sorry I did not ask before post.I offer a apology.

Hope they bring you some joy.

rumana husain

at 11:16 on February 7th, 2009

noel jameel thank you for posting the two beautiful b/w images. however, i am not sure of the connection between the qutub minar and kashmir, as qutubuddin aibak, who got it built in 1193 in delhi, was from a turkic descent come from central asia - and as you may already know, he was the first muslim ruler of delhi. thank you once again.